A Finnish icebreaker, contracted to provide icebreaking services under a partnership between Horizon Arctic Services and the Canadian Coast Guard, is scheduled to leave St. John’s Harbour later today on an Arctic mission.
The MSV Nordica is being operated by St. John’s-based Horizon and the Inuit-owned Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
The joint venture was recently awarded an $18 million contract by the Canadian Coast Guard to provide icebreaking services through November.
Horizon CEO Sean Leet says the ship arrived in St. John’s to fuel up and take on cadets from Indigenous communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, and the rest of the country.
Sean Leet – Horizon Naval (VOCM News)
He says those cadets will be able to build their naval experience as a result.
“That’s something we’re extremely proud of is the Indigenous cadets (who) joined the vessel this morning. We’re going to have up to 30 cadets on each shift, about a 28-day shift,” he says.
“This is practical sea time that counts toward them being able to advance their career in the marine industry and get different tickets. (They’ll be able to) upgrade to becoming second mate, chief mate, and a captain eventually.”
